Patent · US Active

Multilateral open transmission lines for electromagnetic heating and method of use

US11991810B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
45References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 21, 2023
Grant dateMay 21, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 21, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05B2214/03
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The apparatus includes an electrical power source; at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating alternating current; at least two transmission line conductors positioned in the hydrocarbon formation; at least one waveguide for carrying the alternating current from the at least one electromagnetic wave generator to the at least two transmission line conductors; and a producer well to receive heated hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. The transmission line conductors are excitable by the alternating current to propagate a travelling wave within the hydrocarbon formation. At least one of the transmission line conductors include a primary arm and at least one secondary arm extending laterally from the primary arm. The at least one secondary arm includes at least one electrically isolatable connection for electrically isolating at least a portion of the secondary arm.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.